Starting with Naruto, I'll become stronger through my own efforts.

Chapter 279 Alvida and the Marines

Just as the Supreme Elder predicted, the calamity was not limited to the Qingyan Sect.

Sanlun Temple, Faxiang Sect, Taiyi Gate, Xuanping Mountain, Baiyu Tower, and Jiuxiao Pavilion were all attacked by the Calamity Immortal without exception.

Apart from the Five Spirit Fairies of the Qingyan Sect who happened to be involved and killed most of the infected in the first instance, the other six major sects suffered heavy losses.

The reincarnation of the Sanron-ji monk Huigen was cut off, completely severing his path of spiritual practice in this life. He was forced to immediately fall back into the cycle of reincarnation and attempt to be reincarnated again.

The current senior disciple of the Faxiang Sect, the Nascent Soul stage cultivator Yanling Daoren, after being bewitched by the five aggregates of his mind, actually destroyed his nascent soul and perished on the spot because he could not explain the crime he was falsely accused of.

Even his spirit bones were dug out by the henchmen of the Calamity Immortal and taken away as spoils of war.

Taiyi Sect, Xuanping Mountain, Baiyu Tower, and Jiuxiao Pavilion also suffered relatively smaller losses, losing several Nascent Soul stage cultivators, but they were all outstanding talents.

The most serious problem is not the loss of so many geniuses, but the morale within the sect is in disarray, and the originally thriving trend has taken a sharp turn for the worse.

Even more critically, it wasn't just the seven major righteous sects that suffered damage in the calamity; the losses of the mid-level cultivation sects were even more severe, with several sects' cores being affected.

Two sects even disintegrated because too many of their core cultivators died, and the powerful cultivators were either too old or had lost their prestige.

In short, after this round of calamity, the righteous path suffered heavy losses and its strength declined significantly.

Just then, the cults and demonic sects that had been suppressed suddenly emerged, displaying astonishing strength. Many previously unheard-of demonic and evil cultivators began to stir, frantically provoking the righteous path.

The world of cultivation is in turmoil, and a great war is about to break out.

Under the heavy pressure of war, Jin Shunyao's idea of ​​studying the Ghost Path could not be implemented and could only be postponed again and again, which Xia Zuo could not do.

After months of hard work, the pressure of the war was only increasing. Jin Shunyao couldn't help but sigh to Xia Zuo, "The Demonic Sect and the heretical cults are truly cunning and ruthless."

"Over the past few months, every day some unheard-of individuals have emerged. Their strength is decent, but their methods are truly bizarre and terrifying."

"I wonder how much preparation these demons made to hide such a powerful figure until today."

Xia Zuo shook his head and reminded her, "Little girl, you overestimate the Demonic Sect."

"I believe the higher-ups of the Demonic Sect would pay a huge price to hide one or two exceptionally talented geniuses, but I absolutely do not believe they would hide so many experts."

"You need to understand that in an environment like the Demonic Sect, where desires are rampant and resources are fiercely contested, there is no possibility of pretending to be weak while actually being strong."

"Hiding your strength and keeping a low profile within the Demonic Sect will only attract more and more frenzied attacks, which is no different from suicide."

Jin Shunyao had already found it strange, and after Xia Zuo pointed it out, she realized the problem even more.

She asked in confusion, "Senior, you're right, the Demonic Sect is definitely not a place where one can hide their strength. But where do these ever-emerging powerhouses come from?"

Xia Zuo countered, "Do you remember those 'whispering' guys?"

The Five Spirits Fairy nodded: "Of course I remember, it left a very deep impression on me."

Xia Zuo asked again, "Although I still don't know how they were placed in the Qingyan Sect, if the Calamity Immortal can plant his henchmen in the Qingyan Sect, why can't he plant them in the Demonic Sect?"

The Five Spirits Fairy suddenly realized: "I understand now. These people are the claws of the Calamity Immortal controlling the heretical sects and demonic factions. However, instead of weakening the evil path, they have strengthened their power."

"He actually helped the demonic sect? Is this 'Cursed Immortal' really an immortal?"

Xia Zuo laughed and said, "You misunderstood. The Immortal of Calamity is not helping the Demonic Sect, but wants to incite a war between the righteous and the demonic, ruin the overall fortune of this world, and take the opportunity to reap a big harvest."

"The calamities that struck the seven major sects and the mid-level sects earlier were merely the prelude to this great war."

"The Immortal of Calamity would never allow the Demonic Sect to win. However, the righteous path in the cultivation world is too powerful, and even the Demonic Sect and the heretical cults combined are no match for it. That is why we have no choice but to provide assistance to the Demonic Path."

"What He wants is a balance in a protracted war, enough people must die, and the world must be broken."

"Once the Immortal of Calamity has reaped enough fortune, he will definitely retreat with his powerful minions, abandoning the even weaker Demonic Sect, leaving you to slaughter them to vent your anger."

"At that time, He will not only be able to reap another wave of good fortune, but he might also be able to deceive the righteous path into giving him a wave of merit, killing two birds with one stone."

Jin Shunyao believed Xia Zuo's deduction without hesitation, and was so angry that she trembled: "We must not let the Calamity Immortal succeed. If we cannot make Him pay a sufficient price, He will definitely come to reap endlessly in the future."

Xia Zuo agreed, "Exactly!"

"He deserves to be utterly defeated, losing all the good fortune he had amassed. Then he'll naturally stop risking his life here."

"I have something good for you."

As he spoke, he raised his right hand and placed a handful of crystal-clear beads in Fairy Jin Shunyao's hand.

"What is this?" the Five Spirits Fairy asked with great curiosity.

She never knew that things beyond memories and knowledge could be transferred within the sea of ​​consciousness.

Xia Zuo replied, "This is the power of my soul that I extracted when I was clearing away the calamity energy."

"The white and green beads are the remnants of those whispering henchmen, while the golden ones may be the aura of the immortal soul of the Calamity Immortal."

Jin Shunyao asked curiously, "What's the use of this rare thing called soul power?"

Xia Zuo said, "It might be helpful for your research on the Ghost Path, but its biggest use right now is to confirm your identity. When the minions of the Calamity Immortal appear in front of you, these beads will remind you."

"You must keep these golden beads safe."

"Once we overcome the Heavenly Tribulation and ascend to the Upper Realm to become True Immortals, we will be able to use these beads to investigate which True Immortal almost took our lives."

Xia Zuo gritted his teeth and said, "He must pay for this karma with his life."

Jin Shunyao clenched her fist solemnly: "Yes, senior!"

"If I am fortunate enough to ascend to immortality, I must find Him and take His life to atone for the karmic debt."

The world of One Piece, East Blue.

The only warship of the East China Sea Special Mobile Fleet sailed on the sea, its long and narrow hull like a sharp sword, cutting through layers of waves as it chased after a pirate ship ahead at high speed.

The Alvida Pirates wept bitterly, screaming and desperately throwing off all their supplies and paddling with various objects in an attempt to increase their speed even slightly.

Alvida, the pirate captain who was as fat as a pig, also abandoned her beloved spiked club and rowed frantically.

She was covered in sweat, not from exhaustion, but from fright.

After all the pirates had rowed frantically for two hours, Alvida realized that the warship was getting closer to her.

She couldn't help but let out a desperate wail: "There's no escape!"

Alvida's men instantly lost their spirit; some collapsed in despair on the deck, while others, with bloodshot eyes, picked up their weapons, ready to fight to the death.

One of the pirates cried out, "How could I be so unlucky as to be targeted by this monster?"

Alvida roared, "You bastards, what are you crying about?"

"If you go to sea and become a pirate, you should be prepared to be killed by the Navy!"

"These navy men are executioners of the East China Sea! We slaughtered the village; there's no way we can survive against them. Surrendering means certain death!"

"Men, pick up your weapons and fight them!"

"Follow me and we might just kill a Marine. If we do, it'll be worth it!"

Alvida's speech worked, successfully boosting the pirates' morale and sending them into a frenzied roar: "Kill! Kill! Kill! Kill! Kill!"

The sound traveled on the wind to the fast naval warship, startling the naval officers and soldiers.

The Alvida Pirates not only refuse to surrender, but they even dare to fight back?!

Navy Captain Faye laughed and said, "Alvida is quite capable as a female captain of a pirate crew."

"The pirates are showing a lot of momentum," said Lieutenant Commander Borg, frowning. "There might be a fierce battle ahead."

He shouted the order: "Marine Corps! Assemble!"

A group of tall, burly navy men immediately gathered behind him, five in a group, each wielding a shield, trident, and...

The spears and two muskets, though seemingly chaotic, reveal a kind of ultimate order.

Major Borg drew his sword, leaped onto the ship's railing, pointed at Alvida's pirate ship, and shouted, "Prepare to board!"

The Marines did not shout in response, but silently formed a battle formation, with shield bearers in front, trident and spearmen on the left and right, and two musketeers at the back.

According to the training syllabus written by His Excellency the Brigadier General, before the start of combat, only the commander of the Marine Corps may speak and give orders; anyone else who speaks will be severely punished.

Once the battle begins, the corporal holding the shield can give combat orders, and other team members who give orders will be killed on the spot.

The gag order could not be lifted until the battle was over.

Such strict and inhumane military discipline stems from the Brigadier General's belief that silent killing is far better than irrational shouting.

At first, officers and soldiers found it hard to accept, and countless people were tied up and whipped by military judges for shouting unconsciously.

In defiance of this ban, half of the original Marines were expelled from the Marine Corps by the Brigadier General.

Later, after completing their training, the Marines followed the Brigadier General and fought valiantly in the East China Sea, achieving unparalleled victories.

In battles where they are outnumbered, the Marines silently defeat the enemy, wiping out several times or even ten times their number while suffering almost no losses themselves.

The miraculous victory convinced all the opponents, and everyone believed that silence could bring strength in battle.

Gradually, the silent battles and silent killings became the nightmare of the East Blue pirates, and the East Blue Special Mobile Fleet and Marine Corps also earned the nickname "East Blue Executioners".

Today, the East China Sea Special Mobile Fleet is renowned for its power; pirates tremble with fear at the sight of this long and narrow warship.

They would immediately abandon all operations, leave behind any excess supplies on the ship, and turn around and flee for their lives.

Typically, the navy will only pursue for ten minutes and will not exterminate the enemy.

But if the chase lasts for more than fifteen minutes, the pirates will know that they are the target of the "East Blue Executioner" and that today is the day of their death.

Some pirates would give up on the spot, obediently stop their ship and surrender, in exchange for a quick death.

The fierce pirates would abandon their escape and turn to fight the East Blue Special Mobile Fleet to the death, thinking they could kill as many as they could.

Those pirates who dared to resist, if they were unfortunate enough not to die in battle, would be hung from the mast of a warship and slowly dried up to die.

This is the first time in the past year that pirates have dared to rebel, which has really excited the officers and soldiers of the East China Sea Special Mobile Fleet.

The silent naval soldiers gripped their weapons tightly, their throbbing muscles betraying their excitement and tension.

I was excited because I could finally fight, but nervous because I hadn't had a real battle in a year and didn't know if my performance would satisfy the brigadier general behind me.

The naval warships were moving at high speed and quickly caught up with the Alvida Pirates' Swan.

At the moment the two ships were parallel, dozens of grappling hooks were thrown at each other, securing the two ships together.

Alvida roared, a sound as loud as thunder, and then the mountain of flesh leaped from the pirate ship onto the warship.

But suddenly a large shield came rushing in and slammed into Alvida, sending her flying back onto the pirate ship.

At the same time, a trident suddenly thrust forward, trapping Alvida's muscular arm within its prongs.

On the other side, a spear whistled through the air and pierced Alvida's other arm.

With both hands restrained and unable to struggle, Alvida could only watch helplessly as two muskets emerged from her shield and fired, almost touching her eyes and heart.

Even if a muzzle-loading rifle is unreliable, when you get within half a meter and fire, its accuracy and power are impeccable.

Alvida's eyes vanished instantly, a large burst of red and white blood exploded on the back of her head, and a bloody hole the size of an apple appeared in her heart.

Just five seconds into the battle, Alvida breathed her last, unwilling to accept her fate.

She didn't even get to fight a naval lieutenant before she was killed by two sergeants.

Of course, according to Brigadier General's military regulations, Alvida died at the hands of the Marine Corps, 17th Regiment, and it was the result of five people working together.

Alvida's morale and fighting spirit crumbled when she became the first Marine to be killed.

More marines stormed the Swan pirate ship, slaughtering the pirates as easily as cutting melons and vegetables.

They silently brandished their weapons, maintaining their battle formation at all times, crushing every pirate they encountered.

Three minutes later, the pirates were overwhelmed by the silent slaughter. Even though they knew that surrendering would mean a terrible death, they cried, dropped their weapons, and knelt on the ground to surrender to the Navy.

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